Sidley is pleased to announce its selection of three rising leaders to participate in the premier professional development programs of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). As a law firm member of LCLD, which prepares future generations of diverse talent for the highest positions of leadership, Sidley is sponsoring partner J. Simone Jones as a 2022 LCLD Fellow and managing associates Alexandria V. Ruiz and Stephen Chang as 2022 LCLD Pathfinders.
J. Simone Jones is an environmental partner in the Washington, D.C. and Chicago offices. Her practice includes defending clients in environmental and toxic tort litigation and product liability matters and representing corporations and executives in internal and criminal investigations. She represents clients in various industries, including the chemical, automotive, and refining sectors, and she leverages her prior work experience at a multinational healthcare company to represent pharmaceutical companies in their most important matters. As one of the leaders of Sidley’s Environmental Justice group, Simone advises and defends leading companies on environmental justice and other social justice issues. Lawyers selected for the flagship LCLD Fellows Program demonstrate leadership skills, impact in their organization, engagement within the community, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Throughout her Fellows year, Simone will receive professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, and relationship-building opportunities, including access to LCLD members and alumni.
Alexandria V. Ruiz is a managing associate in Sidley’s office in Los Angeles and is a member of the Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice. Her practice primarily involves defending class actions and litigating consumer fraud suits. Alexandria’s practice spans all stages of litigation, from initial fact investigation and drafting pleadings, through discovery and motion practice, to trial and post-trial work. She also maintains an active pro bono practice prosecuting civil rights lawsuits on behalf of Sidley’s pro bono clients. Alexandria is regularly involved in various firm-sponsored diversity initiatives, including the 1L Diversity Mentorship Program and other associate-driven programming, as well as the firm’s recruiting efforts both on and off campus. She also serves as the Co-Chair of Sidley’s Greater Los Angeles Associate Relations Committee.
Stephen Chang is a managing associate in Sidley’s office in San Francisco and is a member of the Commercial Litigation and Disputes and Securities and Shareholder Litigation practices. At the end of 2018, Stephen rejoined Sidley after serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and prior to joining Sidley, Stephen participated in Sidley’s summer associate program in 2015.
As 2022 LCLD Pathfinders, Alexandria and Stephen will receive practical tools for developing and leveraging internal professional networks, foundational leadership skills, and career path strategies through online experiential learning, conversations with LCLD alumni, peer networking, and other experiences throughout the year.
